Eastern Chipmunk: Tamias striatus

Taxonomic Classification

Listing Status

Federal Status: Not listedFL Status: State Species of Special ConcernFNAI Ranks: G5/S2 (Globally: Demonstrably Secure/State: Imperiled) IUCN Status: Not ranked

Physical Description

The Eastern chipmunk is a small rodent in the Family Sciuridae that can reach a body length of 12 inches (29.9 centimeters). Eastern chipmunks have white and black stripes running down the back side of their body. This species is light brown between the stripes, with a white belly, and light brown stripes that are located above and under the eyes. The tail is a variety of colors with the inner part being black to brown and the edges gray and black (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001).

Life History

The diet of the Eastern chipmunk primarily consists of seeds, fruit, eggs, and birds (Anderson and Stephens 2002).

Eastern chipmunk females breed once or twice a year in the spring and/or summer. The female will stay in heat for a short time during which the male will extensively guard the female from other males looking to mate. Litter size averages between four and five individuals, with the young emerging at five to seven weeks old at which time they are able to become independent from their parents. Most juveniles disperse to a new residence within two weeks of first emergence. Individuals usually become sexually mature after their first winter (Snyder 1982, Yahner 1978).

Habitat and Distribution

The Eastern chipmunk inhabits deciduous forests and hardwood or mixed hardwood-pine forests from the southeastern U.S. to the Great Plains, and north to southeast Canada (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). This species’ historical range in Florida is unknown, but its current range is restricted to west of the Apalachicola River along the Alabama line (Gore 1990; Snyder 1982).

Threats:

The main threat to the Eastern chipmunk is the destruction of its deciduous forest habitat (Gore 1990). Other threats include killings by farmers, as Eastern chipmunks can destroy crops (Anderson and Stephens 2002).

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2016 Agency Regulatory Plan.

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